By Olamide Francis
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has promised to partner with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for the supply of science equipment and solar power to basic education schools across the country.
UBEC Executive Secretary Dr. Hamid Bobboyi made this disclosure while playing host to the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive officer of NASENI, Prof Muhammed Sanni Haruna and his management in his office over the weekend.
He explained that the Commission is presently building model schools across the country at it will require science equipment’s and solar to power the equipment’s in the schools.
Dr. Bobboyi said the collaboration became necessary because the equipment will require power to function and there is no way the epileptic supply and the cost of electricity in the country will not slow down learning and other school activities.
He stressed that the Commission has been collaborating with the Agency for the production and Supply of science equipment distributed by UBEC to states. He also assured the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission’s continued patronage.
Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman appreciated UBEC Management for the patronage in the procurement and distribution of locally produced science equipment that is produced by NASENI and distributed to schools across the states.
He said his management team are in the Commission to seek further collaboration especially in the production and supply of Solar panel for powering schools due to the cost of electricity.
A six-man team was constituted with three from each of the two parastatals that will be responsible for drawing up an action plan for the collaboration.
[10:33, 1/26/2021] Mr Sawa: Meat Production: FCTA Announces Measures to Clamp Down On Defaulting Abattoirs
Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned against unhygienic meat handling practices in abattoirs, just as it announced plans to clampdown on defaulters.
Speaking during an unscheduled inspection to Karu and Kubwa abattoirs to assess the level of compliance to established safety standards, the acting Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mr. Ibe Chuwukuemeka, declared the resolve to promote and enforce hygienic meat handling practices in abattoirs across the FCT.
Chuwukuemeka expressed serious concern over frequent complaints of unhealthy practices in the processing of meat, describing it as unacceptable. He maintained that the secretariat will no longer condone activities that constitute a hazard to the public, disclosing that it is working towards introducing new measures to enhance effective monitoring of activities in abattoirs.
“Going forward, we will be introducing new measures that will enable us to monitor every activity taking place in the abattoirs; from the point of meat inspection and supervision by our Veterinary officials to ensure compliance with hygienic processes by the butchers in the abattoirs.
“Also, we will introduce new technologies to strengthen the surveillance to address reports of the use of tyres to roast meat as well as drug peddling,” he explained.
The acting secretary appealed to the butchers to desist from the use of unclean bare floors in the butchering of meat, advising them to make use of thick leather sheets to prevent contamination.
He disclosed that on the issue of environmental sanitation and pollution, the secretariat is working in collaboration with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) as well as engaging the services of reputable cleaning services companies for cleaning and evacuation of waste in the various abattoirs.